45 cheat death after bus plunges into ravine

KANGAR: Forty-five passengers cheated death after the tour bus they were travelling in skidded and plunged into a ravine in a hilly area in Wang Kelian near here.

Perlis Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Fadzil Haroon said the passengers were injured in the mishap which occurred at 9.40am.

The passengers of the bus from Penang comprised 33 women, six men and five children, he told reporters at the scene.

Those who were injured, including the driver, were taken to Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar to seek outpatient treatment.

Mohd Fadzil said the actual cause of the accident was being investigated.

A victim, Md Sharif Hashim, 64, from Kampung Pokok Tampang, Tasik Gelugor, said he was glad no one was killed.

“As the bus made the last turn on the hilly area, I saw the driver having difficulties managing the steering wheel and in a split second, the bus plunged into the ravine. We had to break the glass window to get out.

“Once I got out, I saw several passengers had fainted while many others were dizzy. The next thing I know, we were given medical attention by paramedics,” he said.

Tariah Awang Kecil, 42, said it was a horrific experience and there was nothing they could do except pray.

Met at the hospital where she received outpatient treatment, Tariah also expressed her gratitude to all for the immediate attention.

It is learnt that the passengers were participants of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) who travelled from Kepala Batas, Penang, at 7am for a one-day shopping trip to Wang Kelian in the Malaysia-Thai border.

Perlis Health Committee chairman Jafperi Othman said the state government would provide meals as well as a new bus to take the passengers home to Kepala Batas. — Bernama